Improvement in self-closing hatchways



A. B. SEE.

SGH-Closing Hatchways.

Patented September 9,1873.

UNITED STATES PATENT QEEICEo ALONZO B. SEE, OF YONKERS, NEW YORK.

.IMPROVEMENT IN SELF-CLOSING HATCHWAVS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 142,738, dated September 9, 1873 application filed February 17, 1873.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALONZO B. SEE, of Yonkers, in the county of Westchester and State of New York, have invented an Improved Self-Closing Hatch-Elevator, of which the following is a specification:

This invention relates to a new mechanism for actuating the doors or platforms of hatchways, by means of the ascending and descending elevator, in such manner that the doors or platforms will be swung open by the action of the movable elevator whenever the same approaches them from above or below, and shut when the same has passed them in its downward or upward motion. The invention consists, first, in making the doors or platforms jointed, and in hinging them to the surrounding frame-work or flooring, andin connecting those in each iioor with each other, so that they will be simultaneously opened or closed. The invention also consists in the use of jointed links and levers in connection with the platforms of each floor, and in the provision thereon of pivoted arms, which, when struck by projections on the elevatorframe, will cause the platforms to swing open or closed as the elevator approaches or moves away from them. The invention also consists in the arrangement of a spring-catch for supporting the platforms in the closed position, and in the use of a movable rod for withdrawing such catch from under the platforms when the same are to be opened. Furthermore, the invention consists in the arrangement of small corner platforms for filling the spaces that would otherwise be left open in corner elevators, where the posts of the stationary frame extend within the space in which the elevator-frame travels.

In the accompanying drawing, Figure l represents a side elevation, partly in section, of my improved hatchway-elevator.` Fig. 2 is a front elevation, partly in section, of the same; and Fig. 3, a horizontal section thereof on the line O C, Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a detail vertical section on the line K K, Fig. 3; Fig. 5, a detail vertical section on the line O K, Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view of the jointed links and their connection with the bar for releasing the supporting-catch. Fig. 7 is a detail sectional top view of one corner of the elevatorframe; and Fig. 8, a detail side view of a T-link and connection, which is directly acted upon by the elevator-frame.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the iigures.

The letters A A represent the posts and stationary frame-work of the elevator. B is the movable car or elevator-frame, which is, by means of the rope O or otherwise, moved vup or down in the frame A past the iioors D D. E E are the platforms by which the openings in the iioors and within the frameAare closed and opened. There are two platforms to each floor-opening, and each of them is jointed, consisting of a larger inner portion, a, and of a smaller outer portion, b. When the kplatforms are closed, as in Fig. 3, the inner edges of the larger parts a a are in line and nearly in contact with each other. Lugs d project from one of the platforms a under the other, for the purpose of supporting the latter. That one of the platforms a which carries the lugs d is supported in its closed position by a spring-catch, F, which is pivoted at e to the flooring D, as is more fully shown in Fig. 5, and which extends under such iiooring and under the said platform to hold it in a horizontal position. The larger portion a of each platform is hinged to its smaller portion b, which in turn is hinged to the posts or frame A or to the iiooring. Y The hinge-bolts or pivot-pins g of the two smaller platforms b of each floor have cranks j'. The two platforms b of one oor are connected with each other by a rod, h, so that when one of the platforms is swung on its pivot, the other will, by such connection, be effected and moved in the same manner. Themechanism for opening and shutting the hatch-way in the platform only connects kwith one of the platforms of each floor, the other being, by the aforementioned connection, operated without of the same is removed. When by the removal of this support the platform a is swung down on its hinges, this motion will cause the shorter section b of the same platform to swing upon its hinges, owing to the effect on the section b by the brace connection. When the hatchway is quite open the two sections of each platform will therefore be folded against each other in vertical position. rEhe mechanism for opening and shutting the hatchway I connect with that one ofthe two platformsa which carries the lugs d, as when the same is swung down the other platform will find no obstructions in its way, and will also. swing down; that one of the hinge-bolts or pivotpins g which connects with the platform to be affected by the elevator-frame B has, as aforementioned, a crank, f, at one end. At the other end it has a double crank, Z l, which is more clearly shown in Fig. 6. To the same end of the pin g which carries the double crank Zis loosely pivoted a Y- shaped lever, G, the Y being in an inverted position, as indicated in Fig. 6. The upper arm m of this Y-shaped lever connects with a vertical upward-projecting rod, fn., its middle arm o with a verticallydownwardly-projecting rod, p, and its lower arm r with a horizontal or nearly horizontal bar, S, that enters through a notch of the spring-catch F, hereinbefore mentioned, and as clearly shown in Fig. 6. The aforementioned lower arm r of the Y- shaped lever Gv is between the two cranks l lof the rod g, said cranks projecting outwardly somewhat to be struck during the vibrations of the lever G by the arm r of the same. The upper end of the upwardly-projecting rod a extends along one of the posts, and connects, by a pivot-pin, with a T- shaped lever, H, shown in Fig. 2. The lower end of the downwardly-projecting rod p extends along the same post A, and connects, by a pivot-pin, with another T- shaped lever or link, I, which is more clearly shown in Fig. 8. Springs t are by preference attached to the post A to bear against the T- shaped levers H and I, respectively, and to hold them in proper position. Their horizontal or middle ears project inwardly in the way of the frame B. The post A, where the T- shaped links H and I pass through or project inwardly from the same, is slotted or grooved to permit some up-and-down play to the said T- shaped links. Where the limits of the upand-down motions of these links are to be the post is cut out or mortised, to permit at these places the links to vibrate, and to swing out of the way of the projections on the elevatorframe B. v i

When the elevator B is in its lowermost position, as indicated in Figs. l and 2, the hatchway above it being closed, all the parts will be in the position thus indicated in said figures. Upon being moved upwardly the frame B strikes, by a projection, u, at its upper part, the lower link I, causing said link to be moved up as far as the guide provided for such motion in the post A permits, and then to be swung on its pivot' to allow the frame B to pass. While being moved up the link I causes the rod p to be also moved up, and to swing the Y- shaped leverG so that the arm r thereof will strike the upper arm of the double crank Z, and so swing the pin g as to open the hatchways. The same motion of the lever G also pushes the rod s along the inner face of the spring-catch F, withdrawing said catch from under the platform and permitting the latter to be swung open in the Hmanner specified. The same motion, furthermore, of the lever G causes its arm m to swing down and the rod n-and upper link H to be also carried down. The hatchway being thus open, the elevatorframe B can pass without opposition through the same; but when it has passed through, a lower projection, fv, at the lower part of the frame B strikes the upper link H, draws it up, and thereby swings the platforms closed again, and permits the spring-catch F to resume its supporting position, replacing therefore all the parts in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2. lhe links H and I should be so placed with respect to the projections u and c, and the latter also so placed, that the projection c will only come in contact with the link H, and the projection u with the link I. Thus it will be clear by thefmovements` of the elevator-frame the platforms will be opened and shut alternately as the frame approaches and recedes from the platforms.

It must be further remarked that when by the action of the elevator-frame the rod a is moved,the upper arm r of the Y- shaped lever G strikes the lower arm of the double crank Z, and so swings the rod g that the platforms will be shut.

For corner elevators-that is to say, for such as are placed in the corners of buildings to be approached from two streets, and when two of the posts A, or one at least, `project within the passage for the frame B in the manner shown in Fig. 3-I arrange additional platforms J J along the sides of these projecting posts to ll the spaces which would otherwise be left open. These small platforms J are, as shown in Fig. 4, hinged to the flooring and supported on springs w, such springs holding them in a horizontal position, but allowing them to yield up or down under the iniiuence of the moving elevatorB, and causing them to immediately resume their horizontal position after the frame B shall have `passed them.

1. The hatchway-platform E, made jointed 3. The rod 71., connecting the cranks ff ofthe jointed platforms, to cause their simultaneous opening and shutting motion, as specified.

4. The doublearmed crank l, iitted upon the pin g, to be actuated by the lever G, in the manner set forth.

5. The spring-catch F, supporting the platforms in their closed position, and combinedv with rod s and lever G for operation, as set forth.

6. The Y- shaped lever Gr, arranged in combination With rods u p and s, as and for the purpose specified.

7. The T-shapcd links H and I, app1icd,

filling the spaces in corner elevators, as set forth.

A. B. SEE.

Witnesses A. V. BRIEsEN, MICHAEL RYAN. 

